The Finnish Institute of UK & Ireland

The Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland has been connecting creative minds across borders since 1991. As part of a network of 17 Finnish institutes worldwide, they build bridges between Finland, the UK, and Ireland through art, culture, science, and education.

Building creative bridges across the North Sea

Rather than just being another cultural organisation, they're actively sparking collaborations and conversations that wouldn't happen otherwise. They're funded primarily by Finland's Ministry of Education and Culture, which gives them the freedom to focus on what matters — bringing people together to create something new.

Think of them as cultural matchmakers with a knack for spotting opportunities where Finnish innovation meets British and Irish creativity. Whether it's showcasing Finnish artists in London galleries or connecting researchers in Helsinki with partners in Dublin, they're all about making things happen across the North Sea.

From digital Frankenstein to design excellence

The Finnish Institute had something special — brilliant brand work crafted by Emmi Salonen that captured exactly who they are. But their digital platform? That was a different story entirely.

Their WordPress platform had evolved through many hands over the years, creating a complex user journey that made finding Finnish culture harder than it should be. But the opportunity was clear. With brilliant brand work by Emmi Salonen, compelling content, and a mission that matters, they just needed a digital presence that matched their ambition for making Finnish culture accessible and inspiring.

So we asked ourselves: how do we take Emmi's brilliant foundation and build something that doesn't just match their vision, but pushes it further? Something that makes people stop and think "now that's how a cultural institute should show up online".

The challenge wasn't just fixing what was broken. It was creating a digital experience that felt as fresh and inspiring as the collaborations they spark every day.

From static to playful and hidden to hero

We started where Emmi left off, taking those gorgeous pastel colours and letting them breathe across the entire platform. No more hiding them in corners. These hues became the backdrop for everything, creating a distinctly Finnish feel without shouting about it.

Then came the fun part. We transformed their brand shapes from static decorations into playful, interactive elements that reveal artwork and cultural content as you explore. Think of it as digital choreography, every scroll and click unveiling something new, making discovery feel less like browsing and more like wandering through a well-curated gallery.

Organisation was key. We restructured everything so finding Finnish culture doesn't require a map and compass. Whether you're hunting for a specific artist or just curious about what's happening, the path is clear. No more dead ends or confusing detours.

But here's what really mattered. We flipped the hierarchy. Instead of the Finnish Institute taking centre stage, we put the artists and their work front and centre. The platform became a stage for Finnish creativity, with the Institute playing the elegant host rather than the headline act. After all, they're here to showcase Finland's cultural talent, not themselves.

The result? A digital space that feels as thoughtfully crafted as the exhibitions it promotes.

Building the blueprint for cultural connection

Our goal was clear from the start. Celebrate Finnish arts, culture, science, and education while showcasing what happens when creative minds connect across the North Sea. Not just listing events or displaying artwork, but bringing to life the spark that happens when Finnish innovation meets British and Irish creativity.

Early signs suggest we might have created something bigger than expected. The platform isn't just working for the UK and Ireland institute, it's catching the attention of the other 16 Finnish institutes worldwide. Suddenly, there's talk of this becoming the blueprint for how cultural institutes should show up digitally.

What excites us most? The ripple effect. A platform that genuinely celebrates Finnish innovation doesn't just look good, it makes a case for why arts and culture deserve proper investment. When funders and supporters can actually see and feel the impact of Finnish creativity, when they can navigate stories of successful collaborations without getting lost in bureaucratic language, funding conversations change.

The Finnish Institute now has more than a website. They have proof that investing in cultural connection works, wrapped up in a digital experience that practices what it preaches. If that helps secure more support for artists and cultural projects on both sides of the North Sea, then we've done our job properly.